Adelaide to lap up end of water restrictions

The South Australian Government has announced the state's water restrictions will be lifted from December 1.

But it may not apply to all regions.

The announcement comes a day after the Water Minister said the opening of the desalination plant had been delayed by four months and he would not consider lifting restrictions until later in the year.

The Government has not released any details of how it will affect households, but says it will be working with SA Water over the coming weeks to sort out the detail.

Premier Mike Rann says the lifting of restrictions would have coincided with the opening of the desalination plant, before it was delayed.

"We talk about December 1 because the two things happened to align, and because it's the start of summer. December 1 is when people need that extra bit of water.

"I have just announced the end of water restrictions from December 1 and that's good news."

The Murray-Darling Association thinks the Premier is being too hasty.

Association general manager Ray Najar said there had been more rain this year but that a lot could still happen in the next three months.

"He could be right and we could be all happy in 12 months' time, but I think we should be a bit more reserved than making an announcement this early," he said.

Adelaide University water expert Professor Mike Young has warned South Australians against liberal use of water after restrictions are lifted in December.

He says water is now an expensive commodity.

"The increase in water prices has come about because of the need to construct a desalination plant and desalinated water is very expensive and South Australians are going to have to actually pay the consequences of constructing that plant," he said.

The State Government later made clear an easing of water restrictions would not apply to all parts of SA.

Water Minister Paul Caica said there would be a case-by-case review.

"We know that there's different circumstances that apply in Port Pirie and Whyalla and we want to make sure that with the areas in which we have restrictions that they're suitable if you like and fit for the purpose of those particular areas and we may well see high levels of restrictions if you like in some other parts of the state," he said.